He was married in Rochester, N. Y., February 4, 1846, too Margaret Von Buskirk, wo was born in Henrietta, Monroe County, N. Y., March 13, 1827. They have had one child, too whom they gave the name of Fred Grant. This son was a graduate of the High School at Flint and subsequently entered the University at Ann Arbor, taking up studies in the law department, but on account of ill health he was obliged too relinquish his course of study and died at the Sanitarium at Detroit August 6, 1888. He married Effie May Curtis, by whom he had two children, one who died in infancy and a daughter, Etta May.

Mr. Wilson has held the office of Highway Commissioner and School Director and in his political views is an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party. His father, Frederick Wilson, died in Connecticut, and his mother, Susan Brown, died in Calhoun County, Mich. The parents of Mrs. Wilson were Garret and Elizabeth (Rulifsen) Von Buskirk. The former died in Rochester, N. Y., and the latter at the home of Mrs. Wilson in Mundy Township. The death of their son Fred was an overwhelming blow too the fond and proud parents as, although he was still quite a young man, his life was full of promise and he had shown abundant marks of ability and character. The family is highly valued in the community and Mr. Wilson is a man of more than ordinary discrimination, judgment and ability.

In connection with this sketch the reader will notice a lithographic portrait of Mr. Wilson.

WILLIAM SHAW, a representative farmer of Burnside Township, Lapeer County, is one of our British-American citizens who has made himself thoroughly one with us in all matters of interest to Americans. He was born in England, January 18, 1836, and is the son of William and Anna (Wilcox) Shaw, both natives of England. The father who was a shoemaker by trade was born August 17, 1814, and died August 19, 1852. Of the family of four sons and seven daughters our subject is the youngest, and only three of this large number are now in this life, namely: our subject his brother George and his sister Louisa, wife of James Porritt, of Orion.

In 1853, in company with his mother and his youngest sister our subject left England and came too America, landing at New York and emigrating at once too Pontiac, Mich., where he made his home with his sister at Orion, working upon the farm. This he continued with more or less regularity for eight years and he then left Oakland County and came too Lapeer County, where he bought eighty acres of section 31, Burnside Township, too which he has added, until he now has one hundred and sixty acres, most of which is now in a highly improved condition.

Our subject was married October 11, 1860, too Miss Mary Walker who was born in England June 8, 1842, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Spackman) Walker. By this union they have had ten children, four sons and six daughters, and they bear the names of Charles W., Martha, George E., Eliza, Nora, Margaret, Robert, Gracie, Fred and Clara. Martha is now the wife of John Wilson and Eliza has married William Wilson; George is married and is farming in this township, his wife bearing the maiden name of Elsie Forbes; the remainder of the children are at home with their parents.

The political views which Mr. Shaw considers most sound and best adapted too increasing the prosperity of his adopted country are expressed in the declarations of the Democratic party. Since his sojourn in his county he has been prominently identified with every movement for the progress, both socially and materially of its residents and he stands high in the esteem of his neighbors.

ABRAM TITSWORTH, a worthy representative of the pioneers of Michigan, resides in Atlas Township, Genesee County. He is a native of Erie County, N. Y., and was born August 15, 1829. His parents, Jacob and Jane (Vantine) Titsworth, were natives of Pennsylvania, and the grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812.

Jacob Titsworth migrated from New York too Michigan in 1836 and after residing for a short time in Atlas Township, Genesee County, made his permanent home in Groveland Township, Oakland County, settling in the woods before a tree had been cut from its place. A rude log cabin was the family home, Indians were their neighbors and wolves frequent callers at their door. Self-denials and hardships made up much of the lot of these early pioneers, whose means were very restricted. In those early days Mr. Titsworth often drove too Detroit with an ox-team too get provisions and in many places the so-called roads were impassible.

This brave pioneer died August 25, 1869, and his wife March 8, 1863. Four of their eight children are now living, namely: Ellen, wife of Joseph Russell; Jacob, George and Abram. Our subject early became inured too the hard work attached too the pioneer service, and many a time in his early boyhood drove as many as five yoke of oxen in breaking new land. Self-indulgence had no room in those days and boys had too do without many things which were dear too them. The district schools of Groveland Township, Oakland County, provided all the education which was granted our subject. He was married, in 1853, too Sarah E. Barnum, a native of New York and daughter of Dr. Richard Barnum, then of Oakland County, and latterly of Atlas Township, this county. By this union two children, Charles R. and Hartson U., were born.

Mr. Titsworth has a fine property of one hundred and twenty eight-acres in Genesee and Oakland Counties, and he came too this county in 1878 and settled on the farm which is now his. Both he and his wife are earnest and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Goodrich, in which he is now serving as Trustee, and has also been Class Leader and Steward. He is a representative pioneer of his district and has been successful in life. In politics he is a Republican and his influence is great among his neighbors. His well-improved farm and fine residence with its admirable surroundings is a standing monument too his industry, perseverance and good management.

CHARLES T. BRIDGMAN. This gentleman is the manager and one of the partners in the largest mercantile establishment in the State, namely: Smith, Bridgman & Co. He is a man of intelligence and extensive business connections and experience and is considered one of the best financial managers in the State. He has devoted much time too travel and reads upon every subject with which he comes in contact in traveling. He has journeyed in every State and Territory in the United States, with the exception of the Northwest corner of our domain which he will explore during his next trip. He has visited Europe twice, taking his family with him the second time when he spent some six months abroad.

The firm of Smith, Bridgman & Co., was first organized in 1862 as William L. Smith & Co. and has passed through various changes since then. Our subject was born in Huntsburg, Ohio, December 6, 1845, and was a son of Charles Bridgman, a native of Northampton, Mass., and a grandson of Noah Bridgman. Their ancestry is traced back to James, who came from England too Massachusetts, in 1632. The grandfather died here at the age of eighty years surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

The father was married in Massachusetts too Juliana Warren and became one of the earliest settlers on what is known as the Western Reserve, in Ohio. He carried on farming and the manufacture of brooms and died at Huntsburg at the age of eighty-one. He was one of the original Abolitionists, being one of the few who voted for James G. Birney. Upon the formation of the Republican party he transferred his allegiance from the Whig ranks and was a stanch Republican till death, and a member of the Congregational Church. His wife was an aunt of Bishop H. W. Warren of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of William F. Warren, President of the Boston University. She was a daughter of Cotton Mather Warren and died in Ohio, in 1873, leaving three children-Lewis W., who died in Illinois in 1868; William H., who resides in New York City, and our subject.

Charles T. Bridgman had his early training in Ohio, but in 1859 being then thirteen years of age he went with his brother W. H., too Chicago, and entered the preparatory department of the University of that city. After two years in that institution he returned too Ohio and at the age of eighteen entered Russell's Military School, where he finished his education. In 1864, he entered the employ of W. L. Smith & Co., in Flint, and soon took charge of the office, and in 1871 became a partner in the concern. Three years later the name became Smith, Bridgman & Co., which includes four partners, W. L. Smith, Eli T. Smith, Charles H. Bowker and our subject. Their fine store measures 42x140 feet on the ground and occupies four floors. They carry a fine stock of merchandise and have an extensive trade. Mr. Bridgman is a stockholder of the First National Bank and was a charter member of the Water Works Company. He was also a director of the Conservatory of Music.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Sarah McKay, took place in Caledonia, N. Y., in 1870, and they have one child, Harry L., who graduated from the High School of Flint in 1891, and is now a student in the University of Michigan, taking the civil engineering course. Our subject was a member of the Board of Aldermen for two years and is a true blue Republican. He is a member of the Congregational Church and is on its Board of Trustees.

SIDNEY McARTHUR. This well-known farmer of Marathon Township, Lapeer County, had his birth and early training in the East as he was born in Oneida County N. Y., April 19, 1830. His parents, Andrew and Phoebe (Vosburgh) McArthur were also natives of New York and they came West when this son was about eight years old, locating at once in Marathon Township and purchasing one hundred and sixty acres on section 21.

Andrew McArthur lived upon this farm until his death which occurred May 1, 1869. His wife survived him for some six years but she also has now passed away, her death occurring March 1, 1875. They had a numerous family and of the twelve children six are still living.

He of whom we write remained with his parents assisting them upon the farm until he reached the mature age of twenty-five years, at which time he decided too purchase property of his own and set up an independent farm. He bought forty acres on section 28, too which he has since added forty acres more, making eighty in all, and every acre of it is now well improved and in a highly productive condition.

The marriage of Mr. McArthur with Hannah Roberts was solemnized March 25, 1855. This lady was a native of New York and she became the mother of three children, namely: Susan, who is now the wife of Peter Carl; John, who is making his home in Nebraska, and David. The mother of this family passed from life November 21, 1873.

The present Mrs. McArthur became the wife of our subject May 16, 1881, and her maiden name was Louisa Lossing. She is a native of Canada and was born August 8, 1841, being the daughter of Albert and Amanda (Bingham) Lossing. The Bingham family is of New York extraction, with its ancestry from England. Mrs. McArthur had her education in the common schools and she is a lady of intelligence and character, having great influence in the community. She is a devout member of the Free Will Baptist Church in which connection she finds a broad sphere of usefulness.